The liturgy today commemorates St. Elizabeth of Portugal (1270-1336), granddaughter of James I the Conqueror and niece of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, who served as her model. She is known for her dedication to the poor and sick, and for her life of piety. Also celebrated on July 4 is Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, who will be a saint in early September.
Isabella of Portugal was given in marriage to the king of Portugal, by whom she had two sons. Strengthened by prayer and the practice of the works of mercyShe patiently and humbly endured her husband's infidelities and confrontations between family members.
When her husband died, she wanted to retire to a convent of Poor Clares, and finally took the habit of the Third Order of St. Francis. She died on July 4, 1336, while traveling trying to establish peace between her son and grandson, kings of Portugal and Castile respectively. She was canonized in 1625.
Santos on September 7
Pope Leo XIV wished to enter in the register of saints on the same dayOn September 7, two young men from different eras and with different experiences, but united by their love for Christ. They are the Italian Blesseds Pier Giorgio Frassati y Carlo Acutisand both died young.
As reported on the web site of the WYD Lisbon 2023Pier Giorgio Frassati, one of the patrons of WYD, was born in Turin, Italy, on April 6, 1901. He was the son of painter Adelaide Ametis and Alfredo Frassati, founder and editor of the newspaper La Stampa. He attended a school run by Jesuits and developed a deep spiritual life, joining the Marian Congregation and the Apostleship of Prayer.
At the age of 17, he joined the St. Vincent de Paul Conference, devoting most of his free time to the sick and needy. He also cared for orphans and soldiers. He relied on his devotion to Christ in the Eucharist. During these years he joined practically all the existing Catholic associations for the laity. Frassati was a sportsman and went on alpine excursions with friends.
Joyful witness of Christ
But shortly before graduating as an engineer, Pier Giorgio fell ill with polio and died on July 4, 1925, at the age of 24. In 1989, after visiting his tomb, St. John Paul II said: "I want to pay homage to a young man who knew how to be a witness to Christ with a singular efficacy in our century". And in 1990 he beatified him.
On the other hand, Pope Francis recalled in the exhortation 'Christus vivit', that "the heart of the Church is also full of young saints who gave their lives for Christ, many of them even to the point of martyrdom", and highlighted Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, "a young man of communicative joy".
